Question:
I am putting together a seminar for "baby boomers" and seniors on easy maintenance homes. What is it that makes a home low maintenance?
Answer:
The guidebook, "Durability by Design," is a good reference. It discusses many features of a home that make it easy to maintain such as using low-water need plants, slow growing grasses, and minimal lot sizes; and using long-lasting no- or low-maintenance exterior finishes such as vinyl siding and tile roofing, and indoor features such as a central vacuum, easy-to-clean surfaces like hardwood floors, and tankless water heaters. The Durability by Design guide can be found at www.huduser.org/publications/destech/durdesign.html.